The project’s aim is to strengthen the Scientific and Technological cooperation between the EUMember States (and Associated Countries) and the Eastern European and Central Asiancountries. To achieve its goals,

the IncoNet EECA project will implement activities at both thepolicy and operational level. At the policy level the project will support the establishment andoperation of a Regional S&T Policy Dialogue Platform bringing together nationalrepresentatives/policy makers from the EU MS (and AC) and the EECA countries, as well asrepresentatives of the European Commission. Similar Platforms will also be created at bilaterallevel addressing in particular the cooperation with Russia and Ukraine. The role of the Platformswill be to develop a strategy for the cooperation, to identify priority fields for actions, to discussjoint approaches on global issues, etc. In addition, within the project, a particular attention will bepaid to other EU policies and instruments (e.g. ENP, CIP) focusing in particular on theopportunities and synergies that may arise for the S&T sector. At the operational level the projectincludes a variety of activities aiming at: an enhanced participation of researchers from the EECAcountries in FP7; the support of NCP/NIP structures in EECA with particular emphasis on theININ network set up by INTAS; dissemination activities including key conferences, etc. Inaddition, the project includes a series of analyses, reviews and monitoring activities that will feedthe policy dialogue at the level of the aforementioned Platforms. Finally, a particular attention willbe given to the issue of sustainability beyond the limits of the project, for all the activities andstructures that will be supported.

http://www.inco-eeca.net;http://www.increast.eu

214685-2

Minsk StateMedicalUniversity,

Vitaly Goranov

MAGISTER

Magnetic Scaffoldsfor in vivo TissueEngineering

The main driving idea of the project is the creation of conceptually new type of scaffolds able tobe manipulated in situ by means of magnetic forces. This approach is expected to generatescaffolds with such characteristics as multiple use and possibly multipurpose delivery in order torepair large bone defects and ostheocondral lesions in the articular surface of the skeletalsystem. The major limitations of the scaffolds for bone and cartilage regeneration nowadaysavailable in the market are related tothe difficulties in controlling cell differentiation andangiogenesis processes and to obtain stable scaffold implantation in the pathological site. . .

2

Several attempts have been performed over the last years in order to provide scaffolds for tissueengineering, but nowadays there is no way to grant that tissue regeneration take place in thepathological site. The provision in vivo of the scaffold with staminal cells or /and growth factors inorder to drive the tissue differentiation process and parallel angiogenesis represents nowadaysone of most challenging requests [Ref. Nanomedicine roadmap]. The Consortium aims toelaborate, investigate and fabricate new kind of scaffolds–

magnetic scaffolds (MagS)-

characterized by strongly enhanced control and efficiency of the tissue regeneration andangiogenic processes. The magnetic moment of the scaffolds enables them with a fascinatingpossibility of being continuously controlled and reloaded from external supervising center with allneeded scaffold materialsand various active factors (AF). Such a magnetic scaffold can beimagined as a fixed “station” that offers a long-living assistance to the tissue engineering,providing thus a unique possibility to adjust the scaffold activity to the personal needs of thepatient.

http://www.magister-project.eu

217152

Belarusian StateUniversity,

Faculty ofPhilosophy andSocial Sciences,

Larisa Titarenko

NET4SOCIETY

Trans-national co-operation amongNational ContactPoints

for Socio-economic sciencesand the Humanities

A strong and efficient Network of National Contacts Points (NCP) is not only elementary to thesuccess of the Seventh EU Framework Programme but also to the realization of the EuropeanResearch Area. The trans-national project “NET4SOCIETY” will strive to achieve this declaredgoal. For its proposed duration of three years, “NET4SOCIETY” will support the creation andestablishment of a functional Network of Socioeconomic Sciences and the Humanities (SSH)-NCPs.

“NET4SOCIETY” will offer specific high quality training sessions (based on aquestionnaire that will be sent to all SSH-NCPs), dedicated workshops, and mentoring andbrokerage events. The project will provide targeted tools such as a best practice handbook and adatabase for the specific area of “Socioeconomics and the Humanities”, including a refinedpartner-search tool. These tools will be published on the project’s dedicated Internet site(www.net4scociety.eu). Through the project “NET4SOCIETY” the first network of SSH-NCPs willbe created. The Network consists of a total of 37 beneficiaries, including four NCPs fromInternational Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPCs). A core group of Work Packages leaders,including the Third Country Task Force Leader,will work closely together with the Co-ordinator toimplement the project’s objectives. All beneficiaries and natural members will be involved in thesurveys, which build the foundation of several Network activities, will have access to all Networkeventsand tools. NET4SOCIETY is opened to all SSH-NCPs, including those who have declinedtheir official participation. All network beneficiaries and “natural members” will be informed on aregular basis; they will have the possibility to contribute to the project’s objectives, participate inthe network events and benefit fully from the projects results.

The proposed research project is aimed at an in-depth understanding of the ways in which themodern European identities and regional cultures are formed and inter-communicated in theEastern part of the European continent. The project is an inter-disciplinary effort (sociology,political science, history, ethnography). Its methodological thrust is empirical and comparative;new data complementing prioritiess will be generated. On top of that, the project pursues theobjective to verify and advance existingtheoretical and methodological frameworks for ethnicstudies as well studies of identities and nationalism. In order to account for the diversityencountered in the field and to adequately identify the main factors in the identity formationprocess, ethnic

groups, which are part of larger titular nations and are divided by the newEuropean frontier toward the New Independent States are studied. Altogether, 8-10 millionpeople have been affected by politically set boundaries. The project clusters based on majorthemes such as “Formation and interplay of identities and ethnic cultures in Europe”, “Nationsbetween states”, “Self-governance, representation and citizenship”, “Historical memory anddynamic trajectories of the development of ethnic minorities in Eastern Europe”. Project assumesa detailed study of a sample of 10 ethnic minorities in EE by the means of a series of quantitativeand qualitative surveys focusing on the identities and values issues. Four regional workshopsand a final conference will conclude the project.

Goal: To understand long-term trends of population health as a consequence of socio-economictransitions, with a focus on lifestyle-related issues. Overviews: A unique team with extensiveexpertise in health effects of transition will generate new knowledge on health determinants in 11CIS countries: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Tajikistan. It employs a model of health determinants acting atindividual and societal level, with distal and proximal influences on health. It focuses on alcohol,tobacco, diet, and health care, each linked to diseases specified in the call. Objectives: a)measure and explain prevalence and distribution of risk factors, health outcomes, and theirsocial, cultural, and economic determinants; b) develop and implement validated communityprofiles to capture the opportunities and obstacles to leading a healthy lifestyle (in relation to diet,alcohol, smoking); c) assess

The Baltic Grid Second Phase (BalticGrid-II) project is designed to increase the impact, adoptionand reach, and to further improve the support of services and users of the recently created e-Infrastructure in the Baltic States.

This will be achieved by an extension of the BalticGrid infrastructure to Belarus; interoperation ofthe gLite-based infrastructure with UNICORE and ARC based Grid resources in theregion;identifying and addressing the specific needs of new scientific communities such as nano-scienceand engineering sciences; and by establishing new Grid services for linguistic research, BalticSea environmental research, data mining tools for communication modelling and bioinformatics.

The e-Infrastructure, based on the successful BalticGrid project, will be fully interoperable withthe pan-European e-Infrastructures established by EGEE, EGEE associated projects, and theplanned EGI, with the goal of a sustained e-Infrastructure in the Baltic Region.

The present BalticGrid e-Infrastructure of 26 clusters in five countries is envisaged to grow, bothin capacity and capability of its computing resources.

The consortium is composed of 13 leading institutions in seven countries, with 7 institutions inEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania, 2 in Belarus, 2 in Poland, and one each in Sweden andSwitzerland.

The overall vision is to support and stimulate scientists and services used in the Baltic region toconveniently access critical networked resources both within Europe and beyond, and therebyenable the formation of effective research collaborations.

The European Union promotes the scientific and technological co-operation with the EasternEuropean and Southern Caucasus (EESC) countries, aiming firstly to restore and reinforce theirresearch capacity and secondly to integrate them in the European Research Area. The SeventhFramework Programme comprises one of the main instruments that is exploited towards thisdirection, as international co-operation represents an important dimension of it.

The EXTEND project addresses the need for enhanced scientific

and research co-operationbetween the EESC countries and the EU, focusing specifically on the Information andCommunication Technologies theme of the FP7’s Co-operation Programme. EXTEND aims tosupport the ICT research communities in the region by: (a) identifying suitable ICT researchactors per country, training them on the procedural aspects of FP7 and providing assistance indeveloping networks across Europe and (b) defining future ICT research priorities that willenhance co-operation between the EUand EESC countries.

5

The specific objectives of the EXTEND project are to:

(1) Identify key ICT research actors (including academic, private IT sector and not-for-profitresearch actors) in the EESC countries that are suitable for participation in future ICT researchactivities.

(2) Develop recommendations on ICT research priorities that are suitable for co-operationbetween the EU and EESC countries, for the period 2010-2015 following consultation with keyICT research stakeholders.

(3) Provide training on FP7 ICT programme opportunities, procedures and thematic priorities tothe identified ICT research actors as well as familiarise them with the European R&D culture.

(4) Facilitate the development of networks between ICT research actors in EESC and the EU inorder to exchange ideas and pursue joint research collaboration.

EU, Belarus and Ukraine face common ICT R&D opportunities and challenges that create afavourable environment for strategic collaboration. The main aim of SCUBE-ICT is to increaseco-operation between ICT researchers from the three regions.

The project will achieve its overall aim via a range ofactivities:

1. Assessing the ICT collaboration potential for the three regions. This involves production of a“White Paper on ICT R&D in Belarus and Ukraine”; mapping the Belarusian and Ukrainian ICTactors; reporting on opportunities for Bel/Ukr ICT actors in the EU; and reporting on opportunitiesfor EU ICT actors in Bel/Ukr;

3. Providing advanced support services to competent Bel/Ukr ICT actors to build long-termrelationships with key EU counterparts. Central to this will be implementation of Joint ActionPlans, which are mini roadmaps describing in detail how to reach research collaboration goals;

The ISTOK-SOYUZ project, based on the sound outcomes and lessons learnt of the ISTOK.Ruproject www.istok-ru.eu implemented in Russia in 2006-2008, will expand the ISTOK experienceto the Eastern Europe & Central Asia countries, identifying and promoting visibility of mutual RTDpotential and collaboration opportunities. The project will :

(2) identify potential for R&D ICT collaboration between the European Union and 12 addressedcountries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia;

(3) expand the EU-Russian ICT research community to 4 targeted countries (Ukraine, Belorussia,Armenia and one more country to be selected) through the opening of an ISTOK competenceplatform and implementing pilot actions such as networking & brokerage events and assistanceto integration into the European Technology Platforms and Networks of Excellence;

(4) provide support to research teams from the targeted countries with the goal of increasing thenumber of ICT FP7 partnerships between researchers from Europe and targeted countries.

The project activities will be done in collaboration with national stakeholders and other relevantco-operation projects in view of exploiting synergies andmaximizing impact.

The project aims at reinforcing RTD and cooperation capacities of the Institutefor NuclearProblems of Belarusian State University in the area of applied nanoelectromagnetics. This newresearch discipline comprising the classical electrodynamics of microwaves and present-dayconcepts of condensed matter physics is covered by the FP7Theme 4 'Nanosciences,Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies–

NMP'. INP BSU is the founderand leading research center in Belarus in this area. Within the project a set of complementarynetworking and training activities is foreseenwith a strong involvement of already existing andnew partners from EU member states and associated countries. Besides, based on researchresults and their applications in material sciences and medicine, and also taking in considerationthe emerging socio-economic needs in Belarus and EU, a strategy of the INP BSU furtherdevelopment will be proposed. All together, the activities will

support national RTD in applied nanoelectromagnetics, contribute to young researchers’ careerdevelopment, intensify information and experience exchange between Belarus and EU teamsthus contributing to creation of the European research network in applied nanoelectromagnetics,as far as increase visibility of INP BSU in the European Research Area and its participation in theFP7. Also, the strategy developed for INP BSU will be

proposed and disseminated as a model for the integration of the other Belarus teams into

7

S&T Park BNTU“Polytechnic”

Yuri Alekseev

European Research Area.

http://www.nano.bsu.by

266111

NationalAcademy ofSciences ofBelarus,

NataliaYankevich

MARTEC II

(2011-214)

ERA-NET MaritimeTechnologies II

MARTEC II is supported by the European Commission ERA-Net scheme under the SeventhFramework Programme (2011-2014).

An ERA-NET on maritime technologies (MARTEC) began with 12 ministries and fundingorganisations from 9 European countries in 2006. MARTEC quickly formed a strong network andhas launched calls in 2008, 2009 and in 2010. So far applications for proposals have involvedparticipants from 8 countries, and

projects funded total about 14 million Euros. Given the successof the first phase, 28 ministries and funding organisations from 24 countries are involved inMARTEC II now.

MARTEC II will move from a basic understanding of each other’s procedures and priorities to realinformation exchange based on trust and actively looking to work with partners across nationalborders.

MARTEC II will:



Broaden the geographical scope through the inclusion of new countries.



Intensify cooperation by launching calls andjoint programmes.



Strengthen the dissemination of waterborne research results throughout Europe.



The structuring of maritime research will be better coordinated through a programmedatabase and research mapping.



There will be information exchange and stronger cooperation between MARTEC andWATERBORNETP, other ERA-NETs (e.g. TRANSPORT II) as well as other initiatives,such as the network SURSHIP, which is essential for future activities.

The overall objective is to develop and implement a set of sea ice downstream services for polarusers and stakeholders in the area of climate research, marine safety and environmentalmonitoring. SIDARUS will extend the present GMES serviceswith new satellite-derived sea iceproducts, ice forecasting from regional models and validation of sea ice products using in situdata

8

Specific objectives:

(1)

Devel op sea i ce cl assi fi cat i on and i ceberg det ect i on usi ng new hi gh-resol ut i on SARi mageswi t h di fferent frequency and pol ari zat i on, and i mpl ement a moni t ori ng servi cebased on SAR dat a from Sent i nel-1

(2)

Provi de sea i ce t hi ckness dat a for t hi n i ce (<≈ 0.5 m) usi ng t he new 1.4 GHz passi vemi crowave dat a from SMOS, as a compl ement t o t he i ce thi ckness dat a from CryoSat

ACTRIS (Aerosols,Clouds, andTrace gasesResearchInfraStructure Network) is a EuropeanProject aiming at integrating European ground-based stations equipped with advancedatmospheric probing instrumentation for aerosols, clouds, and short-lived gas-phase species.ACTRIS will have theessential role to support building of new knowledge as well as policy issueson climate change, air quality, and long-range transport of pollutants.

9

ACTRIS is building the next generation of the ground-based component of the EU observingsystem by integrating three existing research infrastructuresEUSAAR,EARLINET, CLOUDNET,and a new trace gas network component into a single coordinated framework. ACTRIS is fundedwithin the EC 7th Framework Programme under "Research Infrastructures for AtmosphericResearch".http://www.actris.net/

The ultimate goal of EGI-InSPIRE is to provide European scientists and theirinternationalpartners with a sustainable, reliable e-Infrastructure that can support their needs for large-scaledata analysis. This is essential in order to solve the big questions facing science today, and in thedecades to come.

EGI-InSPIRE will coordinate the transition from a project-based system (the EGEE series) to asustainable pan-European e-Infrastructure. The four-year project will support grids of high-performance computing (HPC) and high-throughput computing (HTC) resources.

The project is ideally placed to integrate new Distributed Computing Infrastructures (DCIs) suchas clouds, supercomputing networks and desktop grids, to benefit the user communities withinthe European Research Area.

EGI-InSPIRE will collect user requirements and provide support for the current and potential newuser communities, for example the ESFRI projects. The project will also support the currentheavy users of the infrastructure, such as high energy physics, computational chemistry and lifesciences, as they move their critical services and tools from a centralised support model to onedriven by their own individual communities.

EuroCoord is a Network of Excellence established by several of the biggest HIV cohorts andcollaborations within Europe-

CASCADE,COHERE,EuroSIDA, andPENTA.

This large,integrated network exploits the scientific strengths of each collaboration to ensure that the best,most competitive HIV research is performed.

The main advantage of this collaborative method of working is the formation of a common virtualdatabase, which currently has access to data from over 250,000 HIV positive people from manydifferent settings in Europe and beyond.

10

EuroCoord is made up of 23beneficiaries

chosen from 16 different countries to ensurerepresentativeness across Europe. The nature of the collaboration means that apart from thesepartners, there is also an associated network of numerous affiliated sites–

more than 100collaborating centres, orthird parties.

The tasks of EuroCoord are organised into 15 differentworkpackages, all of which are interrelated, and unified through thescientific oversight

workpackage.

EuroCoord is funded for a period of 5 years as part of the EuropeanCommission’s Framework Programme 7.

EuroCoord’s multidisciplinary approach allows the following key areas of HIV research to beaddressed, aimed at improving the management and life of HIV-infected individuals, whilst

Evaluating the implications of long-term HIV infection and exposure to therapy

Assessing the implications of specific management strategies

Improving the management of hepatitis co-infection

Tuberculosis(TB) among HIV-infected patients

HIV and AIDS in migrant populations in Europe

Modelling the HIV infected population in Europe.

The Network also aims to use its expertise to establish training programmes to improve researchskills. These will includecourses in statistical techniques to allow researchers to undertakeobservational research of the highest calibre, and to provide basic and updated laboratory andclinical training to aid the management of HIV-infected patients.

EECAlink is a coordination action aimed at identification of joint research priorities of the EU andEECA countries and strengthening scientific collaboration among them. International CooperationPartner Countries targeted by our proposal are: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan,Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

EECAlink represents (i) a measure of active encouragement of the international Health researchrelated cooperation and allows (ii) strengthening of the existing bi-lateral scientific collaboration ofall participating university/academia partners. Project consortium was balanced to be able to actas a pipe-line for communication of the (iii) research priorities of EECA countries to relevant EUpolicy makers and vice versa, (iv) help to coordinate future joint calls relevant to the Health

11

Theme. Last, but not least, (v) to build capacities for proposal submission in FP7.

EECAlink is proposed to run for 30 months. During these months more than 35 individual eventswill take place. Each eventwill be organized separately and have a different target audience aswell as a tailored communication strategy. For the project communication and impact evaluationpurposes, we have defined three major target stakeholder groups:

1. Policy makers–

this target group is further divided into (i) European and (ii) national. The firststakeholder group represents a key element for creation of European added value throughidentification of joint research opportunities for future calls in the area of Health research

2. Universities and academia partners–

the project is coordinated by the Charles University inPrague and represents a consortium of ten academic partners, who wish to both strengthen andextend their international collaboration in topics identified in FP7-TP Health programme

3. Wider RTD public–

research and innovation managers and individual scientific group leadersfrom participating countries interested in submitting own FP7 proposals.

The overall aim of the BELERA project is to integrate the Belarusian State University ofInformatics and Radioelectronics (BSUIR) into ERA by reinforcing BSUIR’s research cooperationcapacities and twinning with European research

and innovation organisations in the followingCNT and photonics related research topics: Magnetic properties of CNT; Emission properties ofCNT based cold cathodes; and Nanostructured materials for novel photonic devices. These areresearch topics highlyrelevant to the FP7 NMP and FP7 ICT. BSUIR is the leading academicinstitution in Belarus for research in micro-

and nanoelectronics; new perspective materials;beam-technologies and technics; and radio engineering devices and systems. Its researchershave

published numerous research papers in international, peer-reviewed journals during thepast 5 years (e.g. Journal of Applied Physics). The BELERA project will build upon BSUIR’sexisting strengths as a high-quality research institution via twinning and capacity buildingactivities with the following 4 excellent European research and innovation organisations: Institutd’Électronique du Solide et des Systèmes, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, UniversidadPolitécnica de Valencia–

Nanophotonics Technology Centre, and Innoveo Consulting. Thecapacity building activities will involve knowledge exchange, setting up joint experiments, andtraining development for BSUIR’s researchers focused on the 3 research topics and the FP7programme. Also, it will involve mapping and promotion of nanoelectronics and nanophotonicsorganisations across Belarus, and strategy development to support BSUIR and foundation of theBelarusian Nanoelectronics and Nanophotonics Technology Platform. The BELERA project willbe overseen by asteering committee involving the consortium partners plus representatives ofthe Ministry of Education, State Committee on Science and Technology, National Academy ofSciences, and State Microelectronics Companies Integral and Planar.

Policy dialogue inICT to an Upperlevel for ReinforcedEU-EECACooperation

Following the tradition ofscientific collaboration between EU and the EECA region, and built onthe sound outcomes and lessons learnt of three clustering projects (ISTOK-SOYUS, SCUBE andEXTEND), a group of leading EU and EECA specialists from twelve countries (Armenia,Azerbaijan,

Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian federation, Tajikistan,Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) with complementary competences have come togetherin the PICTURE project with the sole purpose to bring the ICT R&D policy dialogue andcooperation between EU and EECA to an upper level. The overall aim of the project is to engagethe EU and EECA stakeholders from across research, academia, industries, government and civilsociety to enrich and support the EU-EECA ICT Policy Dialogue, and to reinforce strategicpartnerships between EU and EECA ICT organizations.

To reach the objective of the project, the consortium will:

-Update the EU-EECA ICT priorities for cooperation and provide an overview of the EECA ICTpolicy dialogue, currentlyexisting in the region

-Enrich the Policy Dialogue process and meetings between the EU and EECA, encompassingfindings from policy research and stakeholder views dealing with common R&D perspectives,priorities, opportunities and challenges

-Set up and animation of working groups, focusing on Computing Systems, Internet of Servicesand ICT Policy

A strong expansion of the frequency range towards terahertz and infrared is the major trend in

the modern electronics and optoelectronics. It relies on the incorporation of modernnanotechnology that has already given the birth to nanoelectronics, a rapidly developingdiscipline focused on both the dramatic increase of the component integration level and decreasein a power consumption. Performance of nanoelectronic devices is strongly influenced byquantum effects that often even determine properties of nano-sized components. The projectaims at understanding of fundamentals of the electromagneticprocesses in nanocircuits,theoretical and experimental investigation of underlying mechanisms responsible for theirfascinating properties, and development of physical basis for use of these properties in novelnanoelectronic devices. The project focuseson linear and nonlinear electromagnetic effects innano-carbon structures, such as onion-like carbon and both single-

and multi-wall carbonnanotubes. We will investigate in detail a performance of nanocircuits based on carbonnanotubes and other nanocarbon materials. The multidisciplinary and challenging project relieson the complementary expertise of the consortium teams and is based on the original approachcombining electrodynamics of mesoscopic inhomogeneous media and quantum theory ofelectronic ensembles with reduced dimensionality.

247260

Institute ofPhysics NAS

DphotoD

Dendrimers forphotonic devices

The goal of this interdisciplinary research project is to develop synthetic methods toward newtypes of dendrimers with tetrapyrrolic core and (indolo)carbazole dendrons, to reveal and analysephysical and chemical mechanisms of control of the luminescence

response of dendrimers, andto create a basis for their resulting applications as molecular photonic devices.

Combined efforts of synthetic chemists, spectroscopists and theoreticians from Western andEastern Europe will be applied to achieve this aim. New types of dendrimers with tetrapyrroliccore possessing promising luminescent features, will be synthesized. Physical and chemicalmechanisms of manipulation of their optical response will be revealed and analysed with usingdiverse spectroscopic approaches including steady-state and transient absorption, luminescence,fluorescence line narrowing, infra-red and Raman spectroscopies, luminescence microscopy andsingle molecule detection at ambient and low temperatures. The two-photon absorptionspectroscopy will be applied for the design of infra-red light harvesting antennae and nonlinearoptical devices. Theoretical methods will be applied to obtain the optimized molecular

14

conformation of the dendrimers and to establish the pathways of the migration of excitationenergy.

The realization of this project will lead to the deeper understanding of fundamental processes oflight energy transformation in supramolecular systems, which provides the basis for the design ofefficient luminescent sensors and photonic

devices that will be available for broadimplementation.

247508

“Scientific andEducationalpublicassociation“Oracul”

RECOSET

Research onCooperative andSocial Enterprises inTransition Contexts

RECOSET aims to stimulate the creation of a networkamong research centres that arecommitted to studying cooperative and social enterprises in EU/AC and TC. The societal interestin cooperative and social enterprises stems from their capacity to sustain the welfare ofindividuals and families, to fight social inequalities, and to enhance social cohesion and solidaritybehaviours through the production of a wide spectrum of general interest services (ranging fromhealth, social and cultural services to the work integration of disadvantaged workers), heavilyaffecting the welfare and political systems. Despite the growing number of individual researchersand research centres involved in studies concerning this theme, a general consolidated literatureon the matter is still lacking. The lack of uniformity, coupled with a poor understanding ofcooperative and social enterprises’ roles in contemporary societies and economies, prevents theenhancement of awareness of policy makers and practitioners on the potential of cooperative andsocial enterprises and thus jeopardizes the sector’s development. Against the background ofovercoming the lack of a common theoretical framework and empirical methodologies in this field,RECOSET promotes the exchange of researchers (both early-stage and experienced).Furthermore, given the goal of establishing a lasting cooperation among the beneficiaries ,theexchange of one staff member from EURICSE specialised in networking activities is promoted.As for Third Country, the main goal is to give researchers the opportunity to benefit

from thetheoretical and empirical knowledge that has been accumulated so far by the EU/AC researchcentres involved. Researchers from EU/AC countries will be offered the opportunity to broadenthe geographical reach of the studies so far accomplished, by

focusing on countries whereresearch on cooperative and social enterprises is still rather scarce.

30778

Institute ofNuclearProblems,

Belarusian StateUniversity,

SergeyMaksimenko

TerACaN

Terahertzapplications ofcarbon-basednanostructures

Creating reliable portable devices working in the terahertz (THz) range of electromagneticspectrum is one of the most formidable tasks of contemporary applied physics, withnanostructures being at the heart of the most promising proposals. This project aims atelaborating a general approach to the description of electromagnetic processes in variouscarbon-based nanostructures, investigating their electromagnetic properties, and developing aphysical basis for utilizing these properties in novel THz nanodevices. The complementarycharacters of the two key factors inherent in solid-state nanostructures, the spatial confinement ofcharge carriers and intrinsic nanoscale inhomogeneity of electromagnetic fields, drastically

15

modify their electronic and optical properties. Whereas the first factor lies in the focus of currentresearch activity of the nanoscience community, the role of the second factor wasunderestimated before. The proposed research is focused to fill this knowledge gap for carbon-based nanostructures. As a whole, the project contributes to the novel interdisciplinary researchfield, the nanoelectromagnetics, which represents a synthesis of macroscopic electrodynamics ofinhomogeneous media and microscopic theory of electronic properties of nanostructures. We willstudy carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene representing latest trends in carbon-basednanotechnology. As shown in our proposal, unique physical properties of these nanostructuresprovide the basis for novel THz applications. To achieve the

ambitious goals of this project, theconsortium involves scientists from both electromagnetic and nanostructure communities.Intensive transfer of knowledge between them is essential.

The key objective of this multidisciplinary project is to intensify and consolidate cooperationbetween research groups from member states and Third countries on topics of synergy inresearch, innovation, sharing common expertise and technology transfer in the area ofphotovoltaic, more specifically in Kesterite materials. This project will provide the possibility to theinvolved research organizations, to reinforce their research cooperation on the long term. Theywill establish through this joint program, new opportunities for a further exploration of solar cellmaterials science, which plays nowadays a critical role in the implementation of technologies

intoarea of photovoltaic devices. In this sense, the project aims to investigate absorber materials forthin film solar cells that only contain abundant and non-toxic elements as a contribution to asustainable energy economy. Currently, earth-abundant copper-zinc-tin-chalcogenide kesteritesCu2ZnSn(Se,S)4, are potential alternatives for the two leading technologies Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)(CIGS) and CdTe, reaching promising efficiencies over 9.6% . The obtained knowledge of thesematerials will help to understand their physics and give routes to engineer technologies ofgrowing of structural perfect crystals, films and devices on their base. There is still a large needfor an ample scientific study in order to support a future implementation of kesterites in theEuropean industry. This multidisciplinary project comprises research activities in materialsscience and physics and includes the structural, optical and transport characterization of kesteritefilms and crystals. Throughout the exchange program the individual expertise available at thepartners will be combined to study kesterites that are especially appropriate for use as materialsfor high-efficient, ecologically lovely and low-cost photovoltaic devices. Finally allideas/developments will be turned into

one device that will find applications in photovoltaics

16

269282

Belarusian StateUniversity

SISET

Enhancing ScanningIon-SelectiveElectrode Technique

The SISET joint exchange programme aims to establish long-term research cooperation betweenPortuguese, Belgian, Belarusian and Chinese scientists in the field of instrumental techniques forcorrosion science. Collaboration brings together the experts from

conventional and localizedelectro analytical techniques, electro chemical modeling, corrosion science and protectivecoatings in order to develop new experimental protocols for studying corrosion and healingprocesses on a micro scale.

The work programme intends to synergistically unite the existing localized electro analyticaltechniques via realization of new ideas allowing their simultaneous use. Combination of two oreven three localized techniques dramatically increases the value of data acquired by each ofthem since all numerical parameters are collected without considerable time lag and thereforecan be unconditionally used as the input parameters for modeling and simulation. For example,SVET-SIET measurements performed simultaneously correlateinformation about two essentialcomponents of corrosion processes: electrochemical oxidation-reduction equilibriums with acid-base chemical interactions, dramatically improving the understanding and prediction of corrosionprocesses.

In view of indicated project objectives, no high financial investment is required since the individualtechniques are well developed and the research activities at the partner institutions are already inprogress. To achieve the goals, complementary combination of the existingexpertise andgroundwork is needed. Mutually beneficial transfer of knowledge will be implemented through anintensive exchange program between five partner organizations.

The objective of the project is to provide a joint comprehensive research on the development oflight-sensitive active coatings and light-addressable microdispensors based on the incorporatedmesoporous photocatalytic particles loaded with active agent (lubricant, biocide, corrosioninhibitor). The coating will include container either with the inorganic scaffold made of photoactivematerial (TiO2) coated with polyelectrolyte shell or inert scaffold (SiO2) coated withpolyelectrolyte/nanoparticles shell where the introduced nanoparticles are sensitive to theexternal light. The encapsulation employing Layer-by-Layer (LbL) electrostatic adsorption ofpolyelectrolyte molecules or charged nanoparticles represents novel and very efficient approachto creation of micro-and non-sized container structures with controlled composition andpermeability of the shell for protection, delivery and storage. Of principle importance is a fact thatthe permeability of thepolyelectrolyte containers’ walls can be effectively modulated byintroduced nanoparticles making it sensitive to the heat, UV or visible light as well as alternatingmagnetic field.

Cardio-metabolic disorders (CMD) represent a heavy public health burden for Europe which hasone of thehighest adult mortality rates in the world, primarily due to a very high incidence ofCMD. The 2011 FP7 Health Work Programme included three Calls targeted specifically onunderstanding CMD nature and pathophysiology, while the World Health Organization RegionalOffice for Europe recently recognised CMD as the greatest public health challenge of the 21stcentury. The aim of this proposal is to create a multiannual joint programme of collaborationbetween eminent research entities based in EU or Associated Countries (EU/AC) and EasternEurope and Central Asia (EECA) countries for investigating the prevalence of uncoupling proteinone genetic polymorphisms and their impact on predisposition to CMD. Thus, U-GENE fitsperfectly within the scope of IRSES which aims in establishing long-term research cooperationsthrough coordinated joint programmes of balanced research staff exchanges in thematic areasthat are relevant to the European population. In addition, the EECA region is of strategicimportance to the EU,in both economic (trade, energy) and political (security, stability) terms.The U-GENE partners boast an outstanding group of researchers, extensive collaboration andknowledge transfer networks, a large number of relevant publications, as well as very activeparticipation in research programs funded by the European Commission. Moreover, the partners’experience and specialisation in CMD research, their extensive experience in networks ofexcellence and international collaborations, and their broad infrastructures will provide the level ofquality required to transform the U-GENE joint exchange programme into a successful multi-national network of excellence for CMD research.

The NANEL joint exchange project aims to establish long-lasting research cooperation betweenPortuguese, Bulgarian, Belgian, Belarusian, Russian and Vietnamese scientists in the field ofelectrochemical synthesis of advanced nanostructured materials. The collaborative consortiumjoins together a critical mass of the expertise available in the involved groups. The partners bringthe complementary

experiences and experimental facilities which are essential for effectivedevelopment and testing of the nanomaterials for to be applied in sensors and photovoltaics.Mutually beneficial transfer of knowledge will be implemented through an intensive exchangeprogram between six partner organizations.

The main technical objective of the project is development of novel functional nanomaterials forsensors and solar cell applications on the basis of ordered nanoporous anodic oxides. The mainscientific novelty of the project is functionalization of the porous anodic oxides, such as aluminaor titania based ones, via electrochemical or electrophoretic ways using non-aqueouselectrolytes. Ionic liquids and molten salts will be used as prospective candidates fortheelectrolytes. The electrochemical synthesis of nanomaterials has several important advantagesbecause of relatively low costs and fine control of the process parameters. The suggestedapproach will confer creation of new ordered functional nanomaterials via electrochemical routeswhich are not possible in water-based electrolytes. Use of non-aqueous solution confers

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significant advantages for specific materials which are not stable in presence of water or can notbe electrodeposited because of the relatively narrow electrochemical window of water.

318617

Institute ofNuclearProblems,

Belarusian StateUniversity,

Polina Kuzhir

FAEMCAR

Fundamental andAppliedElectromagnetics ofNano-Carbons

Owing to very small dimensions of nanostructures in one ormore directions, spatial

confinement of charge carriers is fully achieved, providing thereby a discrete spectrum of theirenergy states. In addition, intrinsic spatial inhomogeneity of nanostructures dictates nanoscaleinhomogeneity of the surrounding electromagnetic fields. Therefore, understanding the propertiesof nanostructures requires to deal with the intricate characters of their atomic structure, electronicstructure and electromagnetic environment. Coming within the scope of this new field of "nano-electromagnetics", the present project aims at understanding how and why carbonnanostructures might have interesting electromagnetic properties. The core of the project is thedevelopment, the experimental validation and the exploitation of a consistenttheory of theelectromagnetic response in radio, microwave and THz frequency ranges of regular carbonnanostructures and polymer composites based on nanocarbons. In particular,

the project intends:

-

to provide a forum for scientists specialized in different areas of the nanocarbon, and

nanocarbon materials synthesis and applications;-

to interpret experimental electromagnetic datacollected;

-

to define physical grounds and to perform experiments for the design of a new generation ofultra-light materials

with controlled electromagnetic properties;

-

to explore the possibility of using chemically-modified nanocarbons in "thin" bio-medical andnanophotonics applications.

At this aim, seven teams belonging to three different scientific areas will joint efforts. The partnerswill equally contribute to the achievements of the objective of this multi-disciplinary project bybringing their expertise in condensed-matter physics, electromagnetic theory, and appliedelectromagnetism. The research efforts, both theoretical and experimental, are articulated aroundfour work packages all involving strong collaborative links and knowledge transfer across theconsortium.

Dendrimers are a new class of nanomaterials. They are monodisperse, stable, and arecharacterized by relatively low viscosity at high molecular mass and numerousend groups thatcan be ionized, which means that they can efficiently bind a large amount of genetic material anddeliver it to ill organs and tissues (gene therapy). The partners of project from EU countriesorganized European research network in the field of dendrimers. They collaborate in the framesof EU Framework 7 Programme supported grants and initiatives: COST, MNT ERA NET 2007,ERA NET EuroNanoMed 2010. Belarus and Russia partners started to collaborate in the field ofmultifunctional dendrimer/carbon nanotubes as gene carriers on the basis of bilateral

19

collaboration grant. Present project is devoted to combining of these two independent networks inone

EU-Belarus-Russia platform in the field of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. The mainobjective of NANOGENE project is to provide the tight collaboration of five institutions fromEuropean Union, Russia and Belarus in the field of nanomaterials-driven delivery of anti-cancersiRNA into cancer cells. The aims to be achieved are: I: Encouragement and promotion of theinternational collaboration (trainings, promoting and facilitating the international collaborationrelevant to FP8); II: International networking and strengthening of the research collaboration(workshops, strengthening the research

management and scientific links existing amongparticipating university/academia partners and distribution of best practice in FP8 projectadministration); III: scientific results realized in the number of papers in peer-reviewed journalsand presentation

of joint results at conferences. Such international co-operation is important forbuilding linkages between EU countries and Belarus and Russia for creating better relationsbetween institutions which results in more united Europe and for future joint FP8

Pipeline systems havesupreme significance for an effective functioning of industry providingEastern and Western European markets with energy resources: crude oil, natural gas and liquidpetroleum products. Taking into account long life of pipeline networks and situation, when

over20% of large-diameter pipelines are with an exhausted lifetime, an important task at the presenttime becomes an ensuring of reliability for these transport systems.

An intensive study shows that among the main reasons of pipeline accidents are the volumetricsurface defects (VSD) arising as a result of corrosion or erosion-corrosion processes and by thisway considerably decreasing the pipeline strength. In order to ensure efficient and safe operationof existing pipelines, operating companies routinely inspect the pipes. The methods that are usedfor this purpose, like “smart pig”, are sufficiently expensive, require, in some cases, significantreconstruction and have an insufficient sensitivity. An application of new composite materials forthe repair of damaged pipelines considerably improved situation in the last time. Howevernumerous standards associated with this type of repair are based on simplified approaches anddo not take into account the stress-strain state in the damaged areas.

Strategic

objective of the project is addressed to the improvement of infrastructure in EU andThird counties by the rising of reliability of existing pipeline systems. Work over this project willserve IRSES main goal achievement–

strengthening research partnerships through short periodstaff exchanges and networking activities between organisations from EU and Third countries.

The scientific and technical objectives are improvement of existing and developing of newmethods for detection and repair of VSD based on

The main objective of this project is to create fundamental understanding in dynamical systemstheory and to apply this theory in formulating and analyzing real world models met especially inNeuroscience, Plasma Physics and Medicine. The specific objectives, tasks and methodology ofthis proposal are contained in the 5 WPs of the project. In WP1 we want to develop new methodsfor the center and isochronicity problems for analytic and non-analytic systems, study bifurcationsof limit cycles and critical periods, including time-reversible systems with perturbations, andinvestigate reaction-diffusion and fractional differential equations. In WP2 we deal with theproblem of integrability for some differential systems with invariant algebraic curves, classificationof cubic systems with a given number of invariant lines, study global attractors of almost periodicdynamical systems and their topological structure, respectively, Levitan/Bohr almost periodicmotions of differential/difference equations. Themain objective of WP3 is to study dynamics ofsome classes of continuous and discontinuous vector fields, preserving, respectively, breakingsome symmetries, study of their singularities and closed orbits for classes of piecewise linearvector fields. WP4deals with Hamiltonian systems in Plasma Physics, twist and non-twist areapreserving maps, further studies of a recent model proposed to study some phenomenaoccurring in the process of plasma’s fusion in Tokamaks, numerical methods, and the study ofsymmetries of certain kinds of k-cosymplectic Hamiltonians. The last WP tackles mathematicalmodels in Neuroscience and Medicine. Firstly, we study several ODE-based and map-basedneuronal models, survey in vivo results with respect to Autism Spectrum Disorder

(ASD) andpropose a model for ASD. Secondly, we study several approaches to mathematical models fordiabetes. Finally, bone remodeling by means of convection-diffusion-reaction equations is ourlast task.

318520

Institute ofBiophysics andCellEngineeringNAS

BIOSENSORS-AGRICULT

DEVELOPMENT OFNANOTECHNOLOGY BASEDBIOSENSORS FORAGRICULTURE

The key objective of the “DEVELOPMENT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY BASED BIOSENSORSFOR AGRICULTURE” project is the coordinated transfer of knowledge and training activitiesbetween participating teams in the EU (Riga, Linkoping, Montpellier), in the Ukraine (Odessa andKyiv) and the Belarus (Minsk) with the aim of strengthening the existing scientific partnershipsand developing new collaboration for long lasting synergy, and to enhance the scientificexcellence of participating early stage and experienced researchers. The transfer of knowledgeand forming of an intellectual “critical mass” will occur through theoretical exercises andlaboratory research in the important and growing field of optical fibre biosensors, aiming towardsapplications in agriculture and taking opportunities offered by the latest achievements innanotechnology and biotechnology. The challenge is to create a unique devices for detectinganimal diseases, viruses and toxins using fundamental phenomena such as light absorbance,reflectance, transmittance, fluorescence and photoluminescence.

The consortia have theoretical and experimental experience and specific skills for makingadvances in research on biosensors for agriculture applications. The aim is to amplify theirknowledge and skills via joint research on specific tasks in work packages and to ensure the

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transfer of knowledge via seminars, workshops and summer schools and training courses.Through these, the results will be disseminated effectively and interactions will be stimulatedamongst experienced researchers and community of young researchers, PhD and MSc students.Mutual research efforts and contacts, including cross-generation interactions, young researchersmeetings and appropriate creative environment will grant necessary pre-conditions forsustainability of cooperation among consortia partners after the project is concluded.

In total 164 secondment months are planned, 7 summer schools or training courses and 2conferences.

318991

GOMEL CITYScientific andEducationalpublicassociation“Oracul”

INT.RE.COOP

InternationalResearch Exchangeon Cooperatives

Cooperative initiatives are flourishing in a variety of fields, both traditional and non traditionalones. The resilience of cooperatives has been widely acknowledgedby policy and opinionmakers, as well as international organizations-Year 2012 has been declared the InternationalYear of Cooperatives by the UN-

which are increasingly eager to understand if and howcooperatives can have a role in tackling the dramaticconsequences of the global crisis andreforming the system that has contributed to generating it. However, in spite of their societalrelevance, scarce attention has been paid so far to cooperatives by the social sciences. Whileisolated "pieces" of theory

have been developed, a comprehensive theoretical frameworkexplaining the upsurge of cooperatives; their competitive advantages in given sectors; and theirlimitations, has not been elaborated so far. The lack of understanding of the potential ofcooperatives has severe policy implications in terms of insufficient political recognition andinadequate management modalities. This circumstance is all the more relevant in ThirdCountries, including post-transition and Latin American countries, where crucial socio-economicproblems that could be successfully tackled by cooperatives remain unsolved.

Against the background of contributing to developing a comprehensive theoretical frameworkexplaining the rationale of cooperatives, INT.RE.COOP will enlarge the Research Networkestablished by RECOSET. Partners’ diverse research expertises (in economics; developmentstudies; applied economics; sociology; law; management and business administration) andgeographic specialization (EU/AC, CIS; North America; Latin America), will ensure that amultidisciplinary and international approach is adopted and comparative analyses across sectorsand countries are carried out, given the goal of developing policy recommendations on how tosupport the growth of cooperatives where they show competitive advantages.